Let's cancel this political soap opera

Published: Monday, February 3, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 31, 2014 at 3:46 p.m.

You would think that with three different versions of “CSI” circulating on television for years on end, plus a boatload of reality crime shows, any moderately intelligent politician would figure out that the average American should not be toyed with when it comes to dirty politics.

Consider some governor scandals: S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford disappeared for six days in June 2009 to visit his soul mate in South America (while still married to his American wife), Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell has been indicted on federal bribery charges, Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child with a housekeeper while married to Maria Shriver, and the rather shocking fact that four of the past seven governors of Illinois have gone to prison.

Now N.J. Gov. Chris Christie is insisting that he has no idea what’s going on as one scandal after another seems to keep pouring out of his office.

Let’s see, there’s the question of how federal aid monies were used that New Jersey received in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. And the mayor of Hoboken claims Christie’s people threatened to withhold relief funds because she refused to award a building contract to a Christie supporter.

Did Christie’s staff order the shutting down of several ramps to the George Washington Bridge, the most highly trafficked bridge in the entire country, because the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee refused to endorse Christie in his bid for re-election?

Now here’s the question to ask yourself: If Christie is telling the truth about not knowing what was going on in his office, when emails that established a direct link between Christie’s staff and the George Washington Bridge shutdown were discovered, why wasn’t he aware of what his staffers were doing? Who’s running New Jersey?

Bottom line: Anyone who is either that unaware (or possibly that corrupt) has no business being on a presidential ticket for any party.

OK, I admit it — I’m picking on Christie. I do that for two reasons. First, because I did a lot of my growing up in Jersey City. We’re used to brash types trying to throw around their muscle. But we don’t like it when we suspect they may be lying.

Second, like everyone else in America, I want a president I can be proud of; one I can respect. Not one surrounded by so many scandals.

I know we’re all human. But when I vote for someone to stand up on the world stage as the leader of my country, I want him (or her) to rise above the level of common humanity for those years he is in office. I want him to be selfless enough to represent me and the ultimate good of the American people.

So here’s the deal: Let’s find someone who is scandal-free and who sincerely wants to accomplish something good and something important for the American people. Let’s nominate someone who is humble enough to represent the American people instead of himself.

Then let’s put him into a working situation where he (or she) can do something worthwhile. Let’s elect legislators who will work together, and with our president, to accomplish the best for our citizens instead of continuing the infighting with each other.

Let’s stop sighing, “Oh well, that’s just how politicians are,” and elect a group of intelligent, committed, high-minded public servants who are up to running the ship of state without drama or fanfare, instead of electing the next new cast of “The Days of Our Lives” in Washington.

<p>You would think that with three different versions of “CSI” circulating on television for years on end, plus a boatload of reality crime shows, any moderately intelligent politician would figure out that the average American should not be toyed with when it comes to dirty politics.</p><p>Consider some governor scandals: S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford disappeared for six days in June 2009 to visit his soul mate in South America (while still married to his American wife), Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell has been indicted on federal bribery charges, Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child with a housekeeper while married to Maria Shriver, and the rather shocking fact that four of the past seven governors of Illinois have gone to prison.</p><p>Now N.J. Gov. Chris Christie is insisting that he has no idea what's going on as one scandal after another seems to keep pouring out of his office.</p><p>Let's see, there's the question of how federal aid monies were used that New Jersey received in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. And the mayor of Hoboken claims Christie's people threatened to withhold relief funds because she refused to award a building contract to a Christie supporter.</p><p>Did Christie's staff order the shutting down of several ramps to the George Washington Bridge, the most highly trafficked bridge in the entire country, because the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee refused to endorse Christie in his bid for re-election?</p><p>Now here's the question to ask yourself: If Christie is telling the truth about not knowing what was going on in his office, when emails that established a direct link between Christie's staff and the George Washington Bridge shutdown were discovered, why wasn't he aware of what his staffers were doing? Who's running New Jersey?</p><p>Bottom line: Anyone who is either that unaware (or possibly that corrupt) has no business being on a presidential ticket for any party.</p><p>OK, I admit it — I'm picking on Christie. I do that for two reasons. First, because I did a lot of my growing up in Jersey City. We're used to brash types trying to throw around their muscle. But we don't like it when we suspect they may be lying.</p><p>Second, like everyone else in America, I want a president I can be proud of; one I can respect. Not one surrounded by so many scandals.</p><p>I know we're all human. But when I vote for someone to stand up on the world stage as the leader of my country, I want him (or her) to rise above the level of common humanity for those years he is in office. I want him to be selfless enough to represent me and the ultimate good of the American people.</p><p>So here's the deal: Let's find someone who is scandal-free and who sincerely wants to accomplish something good and something important for the American people. Let's nominate someone who is humble enough to represent the American people instead of himself.</p><p>Then let's put him into a working situation where he (or she) can do something worthwhile. Let's elect legislators who will work together, and with our president, to accomplish the best for our citizens instead of continuing the infighting with each other.</p><p>Let's stop sighing, “Oh well, that's just how politicians are,” and elect a group of intelligent, committed, high-minded public servants who are up to running the ship of state without drama or fanfare, instead of electing the next new cast of “The Days of Our Lives” in Washington.</p>